Freeport, Grand Bahama – September 3, 2026 – As summer draws to a close and students across Grand Bahama return to the classroom, the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is celebrating the local organizations that spent the summer creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow, build confidence and stay active.
Through its community giving programme, GBPA provided support to several summer initiatives across Grand Bahama, including programmes hosted by the Grand Bahama Soccer Club, Grand Bahama Resilience Centre, Softly’s Basketball Camp, King Hoops, and the Bahamas District Church of the Nazarene.
Together, the programmes offered young people a diverse range of experiences spanning sports, education, mentorship, resilience, leadership and spiritual development.
For decades, programmes such as the Grand Bahama Soccer Club and Softly’s Basketball Camp have used sport as a vehicle for youth development. The Grand Bahama Soccer Club promotes character development through soccer, encouraging qualities such as self-confidence, resilience, teamwork, discipline and respect, while Softly’s Basketball Camp has a history in Grand Bahama stretching back more than four decades, with an emphasis on teaching young players the fundamentals of the game.
“Summer camps provide so much more than activities to fill the school break,” said Ian Rolle, President of GBPA. “They provide safe spaces for our young people to learn, form friendships, discover their abilities and benefit from the guidance of coaches, mentors and community leaders. Supporting programmes that invest directly in our children is an important part of how GBPA gives back to Grand Bahama.”
Beyond athletics, GBPA’s summer support extended to programmes focused on the overall development and well-being of young people.
The Grand Bahama Resilience Centre’s summer programme provided opportunities centred on youth development and resilience, while the Bahamas District Church of the Nazarene took a holistic approach to its summer programme, combining spiritual enrichment and academics with youth leadership development and mentorship. Community leaders engaged participants on topics including mental and financial wellness, helping to equip young people with practical knowledge and life skills.
King Hoops further expanded the sporting opportunities available to young people during the summer, using basketball as another avenue to encourage physical activity, discipline, teamwork and positive engagement.
“Each of these organisations may approach youth development differently, but they share a common purpose: creating opportunities for our young people to thrive,” said Dr. Telina Smith, Director of Human Resources and Administrator of Donations at GBPA. “We are grateful to the coaches, organisers, mentors and volunteers who give their time and talents to Grand Bahama’s children. Their commitment strengthens not only the young people they serve, but our community as a whole.”
As families turn their attention to the beginning of a new school year, GBPA is proud to recognise the organisations that helped make the summer a meaningful one for children across the island.
“Our young people are the future of Grand Bahama,” Mr. Rolle added. “When we invest in their confidence, their talents, their education and their well-being, we are investing in the future strength of our community.”
GBPA remains committed to supporting community organisations and initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for Grand Bahamians and contribute to the continued social development of the island.
